Viking facility is in Greenwood to stay

I read the June 21 story "Viking Road connector hits opposition" with much dismay.

Although I fully agree that any taxpaying citizen has a right to question the expenditure of tax dollars and has a right to oppose the acquisition of their personal property for public rights-of-way, I did find most of the statements made by Ms. Pepper and Mr. Scott to be totally without merit.

Mr. Scott was quoted as saying, "The road doesn't go anywhere." Ms. Pepper wrote "the road would end at the riverbank." Both of these statements are false.

The proposed connector road will connect the current dead-ended Viking Road with Mississippi 7. Phase I includes an overpass over the Canadian Northern and Amtrak north-south rail lines. The finished road will alleviate several problems.

First, it will provide, as Mr. Abraham stated, an escape route for Viking employees and the other residents living along Viking Road in the event of a train derailment, but it also will benefit the entire community by providing an alternate route for heavy truck traffic. Finally, it will provide an alternate route when the train tracks at the Grenada Boulevard crossing are blocked.

Mr. Scott was quoted as saying "since Viking had moved much of its industry over to U.S. 82, the company does not use the plant that the connector road would make more accessible." Obviously, Mr. Scott is not aware that Viking is still the second-largest employer in Greenwood-Leflore county area and that the two major manufacturing facilities of Viking that are located on Viking Road employ more than 60 percent of the total employees at Viking.

Ms. Pepper and Mr. Scott both questioned the future of Viking Range in Greenwood.

Selim Bassoul, the CEO and president of Middleby Corporation, along with various leaders of Viking, have repeatedly stated that Viking is in Greenwood to stay.

The future of Viking is stronger than ever. Manufacturing work from other Middleby companies is being sent to Greenwood, new equipment has been purchased, and hiring of new employees is under way.

The management of Viking and the management of Middleby are working together, along with every employee of Viking, to ensure that Viking grows into an even stronger company in the years to come.

Bill Crump

Director of Corporate and Governmental Affairs,

Viking Range

Greenwood

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Viking facility is in Greenwood to stay

I read the June 21 story 'Viking Road connector hits opposition' with much dismay.